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Key Points

India has announced its 23-member squad for the SAFF U17 Championship in Sri Lanka. The team will face Maldives, Bhutan and Pakistan in Group B matches. India are the defending champions after winning last year's tournament in Bhutan. The squad's long-term goal is qualifying for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2026.

Key Points: India Names 23-Member Squad for SAFF U17 Championship in Sri Lanka

  • India placed in Group B with Maldives, Bhutan and Pakistan
  • Squad includes goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards
  • Team training in Goa for two months since July trials
  • Long-term goal is AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2026 qualification
2 min read

India names 23-member squad for SAFF U17 Championship, Sri Lanka 2025

India's U17 men's football team, led by coach Bibiano Fernandes, announces 23-player squad to defend SAFF Championship title in Sri Lanka starting September 15.

"India are the defending champions, having defeated Bangladesh 2-0 to win the SAFF U17 title in Bhutan last year. - AIFF"

New Delhi, September 12

The Indian U17 men's team head coach Bibiano Fernandes on Friday named a 23-member squad for the SAFF U17 Championship in Sri Lanka starting from September 15.

The Blue Colts, who have been training in Goa for almost two months, since the trials began in July, will arrive in Colombo on Saturday afternoon, as per the AIFF website.

India are placed in Group B where they will face Maldives (September 16), Bhutan (September 19) and Pakistan (September 22). The semi-finals will be held on September 25, followed by the final on September 27.

All matches will be played at the Racecourse International Stadium. India are the defending champions, having defeated Bangladesh 2-0 to win the SAFF U17 title in Bhutan last year.

The long-term goal of the Blue Colts is to qualify for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2026, the qualifiers for which will be held in November 2025 in Ahmedabad.

India's 23-member squad for the SAFF U17 Championship, Sri Lanka 2025:

Goalkeepers: Manashjyoti Baruah, Maroof Shafi, Rajrup Sarkar.

Defenders: Houlungou Mate, Indra Rana Magar, Konthoujam Korou Meitei, Md Aimaan Bin, R Lawmsangzuala, Shubham Poonia, Thanggoumang Touthang, Yumnam Madino Singh.

Midfielders: Abrar Ali Baba, Dallalmuon Gangte, Thokchom Diamond Singh, Wangkhem Denny Singh, Yengkhom Nitishkumar Meitei.

Forwards: Aazim Parveez Najar, Azlaan Shah Kh, Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam, Hrishikesh Charan Manavathi, Kamgouhao Doungel, Lesvin Rebelo, Rahan Ahmed.

Head coach: Bibiano FernandesAssistant coach: Chandam Chitrasen SinghGoalkeeping coach: Parshuram SalwadiStrength and conditioning coach: Karan Mane.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
All the best to our young footballers! The match against Pakistan on Sept 22 will be crucial. Hope our boys play with passion and sportsmanship. Bring the trophy home! 🏆
A
Aryan P
Good to see the long-term planning with AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers in Ahmedabad next year. Need to invest more in youth development if we want to compete at Asian level.
S
Sarah B
Two months of training in Goa shows good preparation. Hope these young players get the exposure they need. Indian football future looks promising with such initiatives!
V
Vikram M
Defending champions! That's some pressure on these young shoulders. But Coach Bibiano has experience with youth teams. Hope they play without pressure and enjoy the game.
M
Michael C
Would be great if these matches were telecast or streamed online. Young talent deserves more visibility and support from fans across the country.

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